Sarcodon is a genus of fungi in the family Bankeraceae, which is part of the order Thelephorales known for its almost universal ectomycorrhizal life style.[1] The genus owes its name to the presence of teeth-like spines on the hymenophore, it is derived from ancient Greek; sarco = flesh and odon = tooth. This is why they are commonly called "tooth fungi", or "Hydnoid fungi".
Several species of the Sarcodon genus, including Sarcodon imbricatus (see figure), are edible. The fungus can be bitter, but that is less apparent in younger specimens. In China, it is a popular edible mushroom and it is used for lowering of cholesterol level, muscles relaxation and blood circulation.[2] Isolates from the genus, called Scabronines, may increase nerve growth factor synthesis in vitro.[3]
Sarcodon species have yellow to brown tinted basidiospores,[4] with lengths in the range of 7.4-9 µm.[5] The basidiomata is often soft and fleshy.[4]
As of September 2015, Index Fungorum listed 49 valid species of Sarcodon.[6] However, in 2019 Larsson et al. transferred 12 species into the genus Hydnellum.[5]
Media related to Sarcodon at Wikimedia Commons
Sarcodon is a genus of fungi in the family Bankeraceae, which is part of the order Thelephorales known for its almost universal ectomycorrhizal life style. The genus owes its name to the presence of teeth-like spines on the hymenophore, it is derived from ancient Greek; sarco = flesh and odon = tooth. This is why they are commonly called "tooth fungi", or "Hydnoid fungi".
Several species of the Sarcodon genus, including Sarcodon imbricatus (see figure), are edible. The fungus can be bitter, but that is less apparent in younger specimens. In China, it is a popular edible mushroom and it is used for lowering of cholesterol level, muscles relaxation and blood circulation. Isolates from the genus, called Scabronines, may increase nerve growth factor synthesis in vitro.
